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When young people face barriers at school, the ripple effects can be far-reaching. Lack of support in academics and self-belief can influence not only exam results but also wider opportunities. That’s where One Degree steps in.

What One Degree Does

One Degree works with students from disadvantaged backgrounds in London.

  • They offer intensive academic mentoring in English and Maths, focusing on study skills, exam prep, and remedial teaching.
  • Support is both in person and online. They provide group and one-on-one mentoring sessions, as well as ad-hoc online support for those who need flexibility.
  • Their mentors are mainly young professionals who bring passion and empathy. They help students navigate academic challenges and boost confidence.

One Degree’s track record shows success. We report that their programmes improve GCSE performance and build students’ self-belief.

The Challenge They’re Addressing

Across the UK, many young people face uncertainty after leaving full-time education. In 2025, an estimated 12.8% of young people aged 16–24 were not in education, employment, or training (“NEET”) -around 948,000 individuals. Office for National Statistics

Being NEET isn’t just a temporary setback. Young people who spend time unemployed or out of training early on can experience long-term negative consequences in terms of earning potential, social inclusion, and well-being. Studies have shown that time spent unemployed below age 23 is linked to lower wages even decades later. Learning and Work Institute

Beyond individual outcomes, social costs are significant. Some estimates suggest that when a young person becomes NEET, the lifetime cost to society in welfare, lost tax revenue, or reduced productivity can exceed £50,000. The Careers and Enterprise Company

How the Campaign Helps

One Degree’s campaign on Big Give aims to increase funding to expand their mentoring programme. Their funds will support:

  • Volunteer-led regular learning tailored to the lead-up to GCSE exams. Our training embeds key skills such as planning, time-keeping, and confidence.
  • Use of technology: a blend of flipped classroom and learner-focused online support.
  • Access to a custom online mentoring and support platform available 24/7 for students.

Investing in students at this stage can help break cycles where disadvantage predicts lower academic achievement or limited opportunities. One Degree notes that academic failure carries costs for society in terms of unemployment rates, reduced social mobility, and increased risk of involvement with criminal justice systems.

Big Give 2025 will be here from 2nd – 9th December 2025 (midday).

Donate here 2nd – 9th December 2025

The Change You Can Support

By supporting One Degree’s campaign, donors are backing more than just tutoring. We are enabling:

  • Confidence growth in young people who may feel excluded from opportunity
  • Stable academic progress for students who might otherwise fall behind
  • Long-term societal benefits, including reduced youth NEET rates and greater social mobility

Mentoring has been shown in broader research to provide meaningful support. For example, mentorship programmes that combine guidance with engagement can help young people build resilience, social capital, and improved transition outcomes. London City Hall+1

Education shouldn’t be a lottery.

Education shouldn’t be a lottery. When organisations like One Degree invest in mentoring, support, and technology, they give young people a fighting chance to succeed. Supporting their campaign through Big Give can help scale this impact and change lives.